I watch the pink-and-white-hued trees drooping under the weight of the cherry blossoms pass by the tram window. It is always a pleasure to watch them in spring. I enjoy watching vignettes of life flash by — people going about their day, while I admire Paris in its changing seasons.
Moving to a historic and leafy suburb of Paris from Pune, India, three years ago has transformed my life. I no longer own or drive a car.
Never in my life did I think this change would be possible or that I would actually enjoy it, but it has changed my life in the best way possible.
In India, driving was necessary but exhausting
Back in India, we had not one but two cars. My husband drove a Honda Civic, while I was happy with my petite Hyundai Santro. Door-to-door driving meant navigating the chaotic, unruly Indian traffic with little physical activity.
Public transport wasn’t always reliable, and connectivity could be an issue. It was a nightmare driving through India’s packed streets, where many other drivers seemed to have no problem breaking traffic rules.
Most evenings on my way home, I would be stuck in snail-paced traffic for hours. Constantly alternating between the clutch and the brake, and the frustration of wasting time in a gridlock was exhausting.
In Paris, I embraced a lifestyle built around public transport
Three years ago, we moved to the City of Light when my husband was relocated by his employer. Here, I discovered a lifestyle setup around the transit system — buses, trams, and the metro — that not only made getting around easier, but unexpectedly improved my health and quality of life.
Because of this, we made the conscious decision not to buy a car, a decision I haven’t regretted to date.
Now, the time I spend traveling to and from the office daily on public transport is my “me time.” My daily commute to work takes around 40 minutes, but during that time I get to enjoy scenic views and also track my steps as I change from a bus to a tram. I take time to crack the Wordle of the day, which my husband and I compete on by comparing the number of attempts.
While navigating buses and trams in Paris’s cold, rainy weather was initially challenging, I have since gotten used to it. There are occasional transport disruptions, but they are rare, and there are fallback options if needed.
During our weekend trips around the city, I actually get to spend time with my family. I’m not focused on navigating traffic, instead, we’re sharing a conversation on the bus or metro, where I can actually focus on the people around me.
This lifestyle has also given us access to some of the most beautiful metro stations in Paris including Arts et Métiers, Pont Neuf, Bir-Hakeim. I still haven’t grown tired of seeing the beautiful architecture, which continues to feel new and exciting to me.
Giving up our cars made our lives healthier
After moving to Paris at 13, our daughter quickly learned to navigate the underground maze of Paris’s metro system. She is far more independent now, switching between buses effortlessly to get to school. While our son, aged 21, complains once in a while and misses the four-wheeler back home, we have grown used to this way of life.
I feel far less stressed than I did driving in India’s traffic. Most days, I reach 8,000 steps by the evening, and the day is not even over yet. Letting go of my car didn’t take anything away from my life — it gave me a better one.
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